Five Questions To Ask Criminal Defence Barristers During A Consultation

When you are looking for criminal defence barristers, having a consultation is a common part of the process. With that said, you should walk into their office armed with plenty of questions. Here are some of the things you should ask if you want to make sure you hire the right person.

How Many Cases Are You Handling Right Now?

This is a great question since it will help you understand how much time the criminal defence barristers you are interested in have to devote to your case. It can take a great deal of time to figure out what case law to cite and the best way to defend you against the charges you have had filed against you.

On the flip side, if a barrister tells you that they do not have any cases on their roster at all, this should be a matter of concern. Any legal representative that does not have a caseload may be in this position because they are not very good at what they do. Always inquire about the cause if you are told this is the case.

How Much Do You Charge?

This should not be the first thing you ask, but it is definitely a factor that you need to take into consideration. You do not want to select someone based on fees alone since this can be a bit misleading. You may make the mistake of believing that a barrister is the best around simply because they charge more than all of the others you are considering.

It is also important for you to consider the fact that the lowest fees are often an indicator that the quality of the representation may be questionable. If one of the barristers you come across is charging far less than others, this should certainly be seen as a red flag.

Who Will I Be Working With?

It is very common for people to walk into a barrister’s office, meet with one person, then have their case assigned to someone else. You should not allow this to happen to you, especially if the one you met with is the most suitable for your case. If you are told that you cannot be assigned to the attorney who you met with, kindly let them know that you are not interested in having your case handed off, then continue your search for a qualified barrister.

How Many Years Of Experience Do You Have?

There is no rule that says a barrister must have all of the experience in the world in order to represent you, but you do not want to get stuck with an amateur either. You should aim for someone who has at least 5-10 years of criminal experience.

Asking all of these questions will help you find a barrister that is able to offer you a solid defence. Do not forget any of these inquiries when you are scheduled to have a consultation since this will assist you in making the best choice.